Improvement in metallic coffins



GQMATTONI. IVIQtallio-Goffins.

No. 219,643. Patented Sept. 16, 1879..

Fl 6. ,1. Fla-4.

Unrrrmn STATES PATENT OFFIcE.

CARL MATTONI, on NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN METALLIC COFFINS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 219,643, dated September 16, 1879; application filed February 18, 1879. v

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CARL MATTONI, of New York city, in the State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements relating to Metallic Ooffins or Casings for the Dead; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof.

The object of the invention is to provide means whereby, either alone or in connection with another rigid casing to apply outside, a bodymay be rapidly and cheaply inclosed in an absolutely air-tight envelope.- The invention is adapted more particularly for use in connection with contagious diseases.

I take a broad sheet of thin metal-lead, or an alloy analogous to lead, for example-and fold it so as to bring the edges together, and unite them by double -seaming or an analogous looking. I make a closejoint by folding twice across one of the ends. I then solder along both the joints. This makes a flat bag of thin metal, of a character sufficiently soft to allow it to be opened from the unclosed end by thrusting in any suitable object with a rounded end.

The thin soft metallic case being made of sufficient dimensions, it is easy, when thus prepared, to gentlyintroduce therein the body which is to be incased. The edges of the open end may then be joined in a similar manner by first bringing them flatly together, then folding them twice. If time allows, that seam also may be sealed by soldering; but even if this is not done, the several timestblding and tightly compressing of the metal will make a perfectly tight joint.

Modifications may be, for large cases, two or more breadths; and even,if desired,two or more lengths of the sheet metal may be joined by double-seaming and soldering. The doubleseaming is not an essential element.

Other convenient modes of strongly and ti ghtly joinin g two edges of flexible metal may be employed. They may be soldered directly.

I prefer the exact construction first described, with the seam in the middle of one of the flat faces, instead of at the edge.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification.

of the metal casing tightly closed.

In all the figures, A is the thin sheet of soft metal. I) c are the permanently-joined edges,

and d is the end which is left open in the manufacture, and is closed by folding several times upon itself, or rolling and flattening the metal after the bodyis inserted. Eis a line of solder applied to the joints 1) c after the junction by folding or rolling and flattening is completed.

In timesof great calamities the bodies may be buried in these cases alone, any suitable marks being impressed 'or tags attached to the end d to aid in identifying the remains at any future period.

In times of pestilence, or in isolated cases of contagious diseases, the bodies may be transported through crowded localities, over ferries, 850., greatly lessening the danger of spreadin g the disease among the living.

The presence of my thin envelope does not materially interfere with the subsequent packing of the body in ice, if desired, and incas-. ing in elaborate coffins or caskets of wood or metal. In such cases the surplus metal at the corners may be delicately bent inward to reduce the size of the package without breaking the continuity of the metal, and consequently the tightness of my sealed metallic envelope.

I claim as my invention A body cover or coffin of thin flexible metal sheets, with edges secured substantially as described,open at one end, and adapted to lie fiat for packing, as herein specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 17th day of February, 1879, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

- CARL MATTONI. Witnesses:

H. A. J oHNsroNn,

OHARLEs O. SrnrsoN. 

